Micro-CT analysis of the internal acoustic meatus angles as a method of sex estimation in skeletal remains.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify the lateral angle method for sex estimation by using computed micro-tomography. Two measurements of the anterior lateral angle of the internal acoustic meatus were assessed. The performed analysis revealed that the mean angle at the level of transverse crest of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus in adults is significantly greater in females (45.58° vs. 39.68°; p < 0.05). A 45° sectioning point was applied, and sex allocation using this measurement was correct in 81.81% of adult samples. In turn, when utilizing the measurement at the level of modiolus of the cochlea, we did not obtain a satisfactory result in sex classification (59.09%). In subadults (male and female samples), the anterior lateral angles were undifferentiated. Thus, the conducted micro-CT analysis shows that the anterior lateral angle measurement method can be used as a preliminary indication of sex in adult individuals.